Wednesday, August 14, 2013

July 31, 2013- My New Birthday

On July 31, 2013 I underwent the surgery to implant an Enterra gastric neurostimulator. Right upfront, I will say, I can honestly say I know of something that compares to childbirth. The difference being that you do not come home with an adorable infant and all those endorphins to distract you from the pain. Aside from that, it is the birth of a new life.

On July 30 I was admitted to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. The night before I began a cleanse, of-sorts, clear liquid diet. On admittance I was told nothing by mouth as if 5 p.m. that evening. The surgery was scheduled for 9 a.m. the next morning. An IV was started and some blood tests were run. And then, we waited.

The next morning I was transported to the pre-op waiting/ holding area (real terminology lol). It felt like my husband and I waited a life-time before the anesthesiologist came to knock me out. Before I knew it I was waking up with an incredible burning throughout my belly.

The surgery consisted of an endoscopy and two incisions. One horizontally above the lowest left abdomen, about 2 1/2- 3 inches long and the second vertically right under my sternum, about the same length. Underneath the horizontal incision they created a pocket in the subcutaneous tissue or fatty-tissue. Inside that pocket is the Enterra gastric neurostimulator. It is about the size of a pocket watch. I don't know the details on exactly how they connect leads into the stomach lining. These leads are what they use to "stimulate" the stomach to move as a healthy stomach does, or as close to that as possible.


The first night I was vomiting up everything from medicine to water to the smoothie my husband had bought me for dinner. Unknowingly, he had gotten one that had frozen yogurt in it. I am allergic to casein so I cannot have dairy. We still don't know if the procedure or the smoothie or the medicine made me so sick. By the next morning they had my pain controlled and I was able to drink an all fruit smoothie. That afternoon I had french fries. Not the best dietary decision, but exciting nonetheless.

The recovery process has been a challenge. Having your abdomen cut in to is painful. You have no idea how much you use your abdomen until you can't. I have needed help with nearly every daily task from using the rest to putting on clothes to even sitting up. I stayed in the hospital a total of 5 days so only 3 days after the procedure.

By the second day I was able and eager to get up an walk. I walked the length of the hospital hall I was staying in with the help of my parents. I was lucky to have my husband, son, mother-in-law, cousin, parents, brother, and niece spend time with me in the hospital. The distraction of love and support was indescribable.

I had my first post-op appointment yesterday. I am almost up to my pre-op weight, but I have gained weight since the procedure so that is an accomplishment. The incisions are healing well and my pain is par for the course.  That was my first long car ride since the drive home. It is a little painful, but getting easier. I am eating 3 square meals a day. Although my portion size has not gone up, the consistency has. That included with no feelings of overly full or long lasting fullness. All these are positive signs.

Overall, I am extremely happy with the decision to get a gastric stimulator. The doctors and hospital staff were wonderful. I have a long way to go but a good team behind me to help along the way. My mother-in-law has become my arms and legs around the apartment walking the dog, cleaning, and doing laundry. My husband is on leave from work and he takes care of me and our son, making sure we get bathed, clothed, and fed everyday.

I will keep you posted on my progress throughout this journey.